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Great Falls U7 Wins Rugby Tournament

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Great Falls Village was a busy place on Sunday, Nov. 20, as Great Falls Youth Rugby hosted its third, annual tournament to benefit the spinal cord injury research and recovery programs at MedStar National Rehabilitation Network. The President of Great Falls Rugby is himself a spinal cord injury survivor.

Great Falls: Amalthea Ridge Plans Expansion

”You can’t keep a scientist out of the lab,” says Sarah Wehri. “I was making soap for my daughter who had super sensitive skin,” she says. “Lotion would make her breakout, so I made my first lotion for her. It was a fun challenge to start with.”

Fairfax: Getting into Holiday Spirit with Encore

Musical extravaganza, ‘Christmas Undercover,’ takes the stage.

“It’s a really cute plot with a detective feel to it, plus Santa Claus,” said Director Raynor van der Merwe. “There’s a strong storyline that sets up beautiful vocal and dance numbers that further tell the story. It’s a very entertaining show for the whole family. For two hours, the youngest to the oldest will be transported to a different world.”

Reston: Santa Claus Came to Town

The festivities will continue at Reston Town Center throughout December.

“Every year they take a break from telling the elves what to do and what to make to come out here and say a hello,” said Goff. “Santa and Mrs. Claus, we are so glad that you came to help us light our tree once again.”

Reston: Heroic Rescue at Lake Anne

Beth Hoyos, 47, of Reston helps father and daughter escape a sinking car that crashed into Lake Anne.

“I didn’t stop to think about it,” she says. “The guy said his daughter was in the car and he didn’t know how to swim. There was really no conscience choice. The only thing I really remember thinking at the time was, ‘Should I leave my boots on or take my boots off.’ The rest of it was sort of an autopilot: go in, make sure they’re OK and get them out.”

Vienna Celebrates Holidays Small-town Style

Church Street Holiday Stroll lights up with Santa, music, fun; draws hundreds of families.

The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department’s antique fire truck carried Santa along Center Street and onto Church Street, its siren blaring as it made its way to the Christmas tree at the corner of Church and Mill streets. Santa, Mayor Laurie DiRocco, State Senator Chap Petersen, and Del. Mark Keam joined together to light the tree as milling guests applauded.

McLean: Gratitude Abounds at Lewinsville Thanksgiving Dinner

“It’s not always easy to be grateful … we get used to the comforts around us,” Spencer Deese, 25, said during a short message during the dinner’s worship service. “Gratitude takes practice, just like any other skill.”

Celebrating Diversity in Burke

33rd Interfaith Thanksgiving service at Burke Presbyterian Church celebrates differences.

“You can lament about the hate in the country right now,” she said, “but there’s a great sense of readiness to act in a different way, that we’re capable of being different and being together.” Co-pastors at Burke Presbyterian Church Rev. Meg Peery McLaughlin and her husband Rev. Jarrett insist the interfaith Thanksgiving service held in their worship hall on Nov. 22 was not in response to any perceived disunity in the country following the Presidential election.

Fairfax: Robinson Square Root

Educational program part of FACETS plan to prevent homelessness.

“If you don’t do homework, you get bad grades,” Dowling asserted. The boys are receiving after school homework assistance at the Robinson Square community center, owned by Fairfax County and operated by Fairfax-based non-profit FACETS.

‘God, Watch Over the U.S. Veterans’

City of Fairfax holds Nov. 11 ceremony.

With flags, dignitaries and heartfelt speeches, the City of Fairfax celebrated Veterans Day. The ceremony was held Friday morning, Nov. 11, in front of City Hall. A color guard comprising local veterans started things off, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Chaplain Don Northcutt, coordinator of the Fairfax Veterans Treatment Docket in Fairfax County General District Court.

Fairfax: ‘More about Giving, than Receiving’

Britepaths seeks community’s holiday help for neighbors in need.

“We anticipate serving about 2,000 families, as opposed to 1,500 last year,” said Britepaths Executive Director Lisa Whetzel. “Normally, we share them with our other nonprofit partners. But what is concerning is that, this year, our partners are scaling back – so we’re in desperate need for people who want to become sponsors.”

Fairfax Station: Donated Thanksgiving Food Baskets Ready for 525 Households

Five-hundred twenty-five households in southeastern Fairfax County were served a Thanksgiving food basket from Lorton Community Action Center, thanks to donations from the community and volunteers to organize the packing.

Reston: Seahawks Advance to Region Semifinals

South Lakes (11-1) to face Lake Braddock (11-1), the top-ranked team in the state.

With less than two minutes to play, it appeared the Seahawks had made an improbable comeback to advance to the region semifinals. After falling behind 14-0, they had scored three unanswered touchdowns. But the Wildcats pulled off a miraculous 75-yard flea-flicker bomb for a score with 1:25 remaining, stunning South Lakes and pulling Centreville to within 22-20.

Herndon: Viewpoints A Thanksgiving Tradition Continues Strong at Herndon Elementary

What are you thankful for?

“The police are very supportive of the school and community as a whole,” says Nancy Cassidy, an office assistant in the main office of the elementary school. “I think they’re very good at community outreach.” She says police officers come every Friday to help pack bags for the school’s Weekend Backpack Program, a program that provides children in need with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food at times when school resources are unavailable, such as weekends and during school vacations. “The kids love seeing them,” Cassidy says.

Herndon Turkey Trot Race a Success

Some 858 runners participate in pre-Thanksgiving tradition at Herndon Community Center.

The first-place male winner was James Luehrs, 23, of Reston, who finished with a time of 16:16. He is Herndon High School's cross country and distance track coach. Some 858 runners participated in The Turkey Trot 5K Race sponsored by the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Herndon Community Center. The race wound around the Herndon Centennial Golf Course.

The Connection